230 ELBERT COUNTY. 



earth of the low grounds : the top, or apex, is flat ; a spiral 

 path, or track, leading from the ground up to the top, is still 

 visible, where now grows a large, beautiful spreading red 

 cedar. There appear four niches excavated out of the sides 

 of this hill, at different heights from the base, fronting the four 

 cardinal points. . These niches, or sentry-boxes, are entered 

 into from the winding path, and seem to have been meant for 

 resting places, or look-outs. The circumjacent level grounds 

 are cleared, and planted with Indian corn at present ; and I 

 think the proprietor of these lands, who accompanied us to this 

 place, said that the mount itself yielded above one hundred 

 bushels in one season." Bartram describes these mounds as they 

 appeared to him in 1773. In 1848, accompanied by Captain 

 Rembert, the author of this work visited these mounds. The 

 large one corresponds exactly with Bartram's description of it, 

 with this exception, that the sides and summit are covered 

 with a growth of large cane, and several large trees. The 

 smaller mounds have been almost destroyed. Captain Rembert 

 has excavated the smaller mounds, and found human skeletons, 

 jars, pipes, beads, breastplates, stone hammers, hatchets, arrow 

 heads, &c., &c. Some of these are now in our possession, 

 and are really objects of curiosity. 



Remarkable Men. — Gen. Samuel Blackburn was of Irish 

 descent. He was a classical scholar, and for some time after 

 his removal to Georgia, taught the academy in Washington, 

 Wilkes county. Whilst thus employed, he prepared himself 

 for the practice of the law. His fine voice, expressive features, 

 noble person, perfect self-possession, keen wit, and forcible lan- 

 guage, directed by a well cultivated and powerful intellect, 

 made him one of the most eloquent men of his time. He 

 married Gov. Matthews's daughter, and soon after settled in 

 Elbert county, on Broad river. He was advancing success- 

 fully in his profession and political influence, until the meeting 

 of the Legislature of 1795. He was a member of the Legis- 

 lature which passed the infamous Yazoo act, which rendered 

 him so unpopular, that he left the State and went to Virginia, 

 where he practised law until his death. He was several 

 times a member of the Legislature in Virginia from Bath 

 county. In politics he was a federalist. His powerful and 



